The Mattel Children's Foundation, a philanthropic program of Mattel, Inc., has announced the recipients of its first round of domestic grants, representing the first time the foundation has awarded funds through its online, unsolicited grant application program. Thirty-eight nonprofit organizations directly serving children in need in twenty-one states will receive grants ranging from $3,000 to $25,000.The grants represent one of the programs announced earlier this year as part of the foundation's relaunch, and are expected to help improve the lives of children in need throughout the U.S.

Applications for the second round of grants are now being accepted. Charitable organizations in the U.S. that directly serve children in need are eligible for grants ranging between $5,000 and $25,000. Applicant organizations must have 501(c)(3) public charity status under the Internal Revenue Code. Funding priority will be given to organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need directly impacting children in need (particularly children between the ages of 0 and 13) and that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities, which include health, education, and girls' empowerment.Two types of grants will be considered: 1) program- specific grants -- i.e., funding for the launch of new programs or expansion of existing programs; and 2) core operating support -- i.e., support of organizations to sustain their programs.

Applications must be submitted online through the Mattel Web site. See the site for complete program information, application guidelines, and a list of grant recipients from the program's first round of funding RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/3297/mattel